This was an alarming report I came across, from someone who had used the Swarovski ATS65 during a birding trip to Gambia:
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MC had the new Swarovski ATS65 scope which disintegrated on the penultimate day. First the swivelling ring went, then the focussing and finally the tripod mounting bracket broke off. In Lesbos, a year ago, the eye-piece fell out, which also happened, on this holiday, to the birder in the next room to ours. This optically superb instrument appears to be mechanically unsound. It would be interesting to know if any other birders have had similar problems.>>
Source is:
http://mysite.freeserve.com/birdingtrips/trip_report_2003.htm
I certainly hope this was an isolated experience! It does look as though the tripod foot on the ATS65 is some sort of plastic, rather than metal. If the tripod mount broke, this would adversely affect the helical focuser, which is immediately in front of it. I may contact the source, and find out what happened to the scope, as far as warranty and service.
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MC had the new Swarovski ATS65 scope which disintegrated on the penultimate day. First the swivelling ring went, then the focussing and finally the tripod mounting bracket broke off. In Lesbos, a year ago, the eye-piece fell out, which also happened, on this holiday, to the birder in the next room to ours. This optically superb instrument appears to be mechanically unsound. It would be interesting to know if any other birders have had similar problems.>>
Source is:
http://mysite.freeserve.com/birdingtrips/trip_report_2003.htm
I certainly hope this was an isolated experience! It does look as though the tripod foot on the ATS65 is some sort of plastic, rather than metal. If the tripod mount broke, this would adversely affect the helical focuser, which is immediately in front of it. I may contact the source, and find out what happened to the scope, as far as warranty and service.
